UConn selects Paul Pendergast as interim Athletics Direector

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The president of the University of Connecticut selected an interim athletics director for his ability to run an enterprise as she seeks to end problems related to fundraising and compliance with NCAA rules, she said Sunday.

Susan Herbst, president of the state's flagship university, announced that former associate athletics director Paul Pendergast has been hired as interim director.

"I did not choose him because he is an excellent fundraiser, although he is," she said in a conference call with reporters. "I picked him because he's a manager and he's a leader. He really knows how to run an enterprise."

Pendergast, who is president of the Saint Francis Foundation and senior vice president of development for Saint Francis Hospital, succeeds Jeff Hathaway, who left his job Friday. Hathaway's job had been the subject of speculation since Herbst began an evaluation this summer of the athletic department focusing on academic performance, NCAA compliance and fundraising.

Herbst praised Hathaway and told reporters he had said it was the "right time to move on."

"He leaves behind an absolutely stellar record," she said." ''It was a very amicable discussion and we really wish him the best."

The separation agreement Hathaway signed with UConn requires him to cooperate with the school and NCAA in connection with any investigation or hearing that may arise from any alleged violation of NCAA rules.

Herbst, who took the university's top job two months ago, said she is "absolutely dead serious" about improving the standards of UConn's athletic program and having "perfect compliance."

"Sometimes the athletic department becomes untethered from the rest of the university and that will not happen on my watch," she said. "We need change and that spurred me to take a more systematic look at the department."

Pendergast said in a statement announcing his appointment that he is thrilled to return to UConn's athletic division.

"Winning teams are, of course, the most visible part of collegiate athletics, but what counts just as much is what happens behind the scenes, particularly when it comes to the academic success of student athletes, strict compliance with NCAA rules and fundraising," he said.

Herbst said Pendergast will serve on an interim basis until further notice. She said she does not know when a national search will begin. A committee comprising a cross-section of the university will conduct the search, she said.

Pendergast takes over Sept. 19 and will be paid an annual salary of $325,000 calculated for the portion of the year he works at UConn.